MTA: We will fare better versus repeat offenders

MTA OFFICIALS on Monday agreed to dedicate staff to keep chronic transit criminals out of the system.

MTA board member Allen Cappelli proposed a unit to deal with district attorney’s offices in the city and surrounding counties to track prosecution of subway crimes and press for plea deals that include a ban from the transit system.

“The MTA itself has not done all that it needs to do,” Cappelli said. “We have to advocate to the district attorneys the seriousness of these offenses, particularly those that are repeat violent offenders, people who rob i- Phones and other electronics, people who commit sex crimes on the subway system, people who assault employees and assault police officers down in the system who are doing their job.”

MTA chief Thomas Prendergast and NYC Transit President Ronnie Hakim backed the proposal.

Subway crimes are on the rise, with a 36% increase in major felony crimes in January, compared to the same period last year, driven by assaults. A dozen of the 37 felony assaults from January were stabbings or slashings, according to NYPD Transit Chief Joe Fox.